Future University (formerly Computer Man College)
Encyclopedia
The Future University , or simply Future University, formerly known as Computer Man College or (CMC), is the first specialized inter-related ICT university in Sudan
. Since its establishment in 1991 as Computer Man College, it was considered —at the regional level, as the first college
to introduce an Information Technology
program and —at the country level, as the first to introduce a Computer Engineering
program and the second to introduce the Telecommunication Engineering and Architecture & Design
programs. It was upgraded to a university in August 2010 by the Sudan Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The university adopts the credit hours system in its education process, which makes it one of the first educational institutes to implement this system in Sudan. It is also the first private academic institution in Sudan hosting a UNESCO chair
. Currently, The Future University contains seven faculties, with each faculty offering several programs (some running and others yet to be proposed).
, 1970), M.Sc. in Computer Technology, Computer System (American University), Applied Science in Engineering, (George Washington University
, 1975), and a Ph.D.
in Management of Information Systems (George Washington University). He has taken training courses in Khartoum Training Center in 1986 and in Saudi Arabia
regarding Computer Policies.
, knowledge societies, e-commerce and e-government.
During this era, the college embarked on distinctive strategic plans to offer three programs in Information Technology
, Computer Engineering
and Computer Science
, and then followed by the introduction of the Telecommunication Engineering and Architecture & Design
programs. CMC is in buildings that are almost 20 years old; The Future University's new campus
is being constructed.
s had to look at the proposal, approve it and check the status of Computer Man College to see if it was well established with all its contents including courses, staff, skills, techniques, performance and its related history to ensure that it deserved to be upgraded to university status.
The approval was then undertaken by the department for private sector in the ministry which submits a report to the higher council. Thereon, another committee was set to check on the concepts for upgrading the college together with the proposed vision including the rules and regulations laid by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. As the proposal goes back to the ministry, a request was sent to the president of Sudan
to approve it and, on his approval, it went to the Sudan Ministry of Justice to check the act of bill and ensure that the laws would be abided by all the concepts of the oncoming university. Afterward, it was taken to the Sudan Cabinet of Ministers that reviews the request and makes the minister and his representatives to answer questions concerning it.
On approval by the Cabinet of Ministers, it was to go to the Parliament and then to the president of Sudan
again for the final signature. Eventually, submission was to be done of the president of the university and the chairman of the Board of Trustees together with their curriculum vitae. On the morning of the day after the approval, many of the students reported that they were surprised when they came in the college; because they saw the new sign at the forefront of the buildings saying “Future University” instead of the old “Computer Man College.” On that day, a camel
and a number of sheep were sacrificed (i.e. slaughtered) inside the campus, and their meat was given away as charity (Karāma) for the poor and other people in the shape of a good-deed attempt to thank the grace of God that the college has been upgraded. — "as the Chairman has said."
that the university held among the students and staff in order to choose its new official logo. The contest was monitored by the Creative Multimedia department represented by Ms. Gloria from The Philippines after being selected by Dr. Abubaker (the chairman) to supervise the contest. Many students participated in the logo contest, which also included designing logos for the other faculties of the university, yet, only few candidates were qualified to the final stage. The current logo was then chosen and approved after making some edits and retouches on it. Monetary prizes were awarded to the first and second place winners (1,500 and 500 SDG
respectively).
which is located side-by-side with the old and current buildings. The new campus is said to contain modern lecture room
s, labs, auditorium
and libraries, and it accommodates about 18,000 students. In 2006, the land of the new campus was procured by the college, an area of 20,000 square meters. It is said that the cost of construction, equipment and furnishing the whole new buildings of the campus amounts to be approximately US $60 million. The building has been paused several times for unclear reasons; the chairman of the board stated in an interview that he believes that the whole new buildings will be set up, fully constructed and ready to use by the end of 2011.
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
. Since its establishment in 1991 as Computer Man College, it was considered —at the regional level, as the first college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
to introduce an Information Technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
program and —at the country level, as the first to introduce a Computer Engineering
Computer engineering
Computer engineering, also called computer systems engineering, is a discipline that integrates several fields of electrical engineering and computer science required to develop computer systems. Computer engineers usually have training in electronic engineering, software design, and...
program and the second to introduce the Telecommunication Engineering and Architecture & Design
Architectural engineering
Architectural engineering, also known as building engineering, is the application of engineering principles and technology to building design and construction...
programs. It was upgraded to a university in August 2010 by the Sudan Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The university adopts the credit hours system in its education process, which makes it one of the first educational institutes to implement this system in Sudan. It is also the first private academic institution in Sudan hosting a UNESCO chair
UNESCO Chairs
The UNESCO Chairs program was established in 1992 following the relevant decision of the General Conference of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization taken at its 26th session....
. Currently, The Future University contains seven faculties, with each faculty offering several programs (some running and others yet to be proposed).
About the founder
Dr. Abubaker Mustafa Mohammed Khair is the founder and chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Future University. Dr. Abubaker received a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering Communication (University of BelgradeUniversity of Belgrade
The University of Belgrade is the oldest and largest university of Serbia.Founded in 1808 as the Belgrade Higher School in revolutionary Serbia, by 1838 it merged with the Kragujevac-based departments into a single university...
, 1970), M.Sc. in Computer Technology, Computer System (American University), Applied Science in Engineering, (George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, 1975), and a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Management of Information Systems (George Washington University). He has taken training courses in Khartoum Training Center in 1986 and in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
regarding Computer Policies.
First years
The foundation of the college was accompanied with the huge bounce in the field of information technology which the world has witnessed. The effect has been reflected in the administrative and economical structure of Sudan and other countries; new concepts were created, such as globalizationGlobalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
, knowledge societies, e-commerce and e-government.
During this era, the college embarked on distinctive strategic plans to offer three programs in Information Technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
, Computer Engineering
Computer engineering
Computer engineering, also called computer systems engineering, is a discipline that integrates several fields of electrical engineering and computer science required to develop computer systems. Computer engineers usually have training in electronic engineering, software design, and...
and Computer Science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
, and then followed by the introduction of the Telecommunication Engineering and Architecture & Design
Architectural engineering
Architectural engineering, also known as building engineering, is the application of engineering principles and technology to building design and construction...
programs. CMC is in buildings that are almost 20 years old; The Future University's new campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
is being constructed.
From CMC to FU
The process of transforming Computer Man College into the new Future University has gone through many stages. The request to upgrade the college was submitted to the Sudan Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research three times; the first time was 15 years ago. The second time, several committeeCommittee
A committee is a type of small deliberative assembly that is usually intended to remain subordinate to another, larger deliberative assembly—which when organized so that action on committee requires a vote by all its entitled members, is called the "Committee of the Whole"...
s had to look at the proposal, approve it and check the status of Computer Man College to see if it was well established with all its contents including courses, staff, skills, techniques, performance and its related history to ensure that it deserved to be upgraded to university status.
The approval was then undertaken by the department for private sector in the ministry which submits a report to the higher council. Thereon, another committee was set to check on the concepts for upgrading the college together with the proposed vision including the rules and regulations laid by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. As the proposal goes back to the ministry, a request was sent to the president of Sudan
Omar al-Bashir
Lieutenant General Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir is the current President of Sudan and the head of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister...
to approve it and, on his approval, it went to the Sudan Ministry of Justice to check the act of bill and ensure that the laws would be abided by all the concepts of the oncoming university. Afterward, it was taken to the Sudan Cabinet of Ministers that reviews the request and makes the minister and his representatives to answer questions concerning it.
On approval by the Cabinet of Ministers, it was to go to the Parliament and then to the president of Sudan
Omar al-Bashir
Lieutenant General Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir is the current President of Sudan and the head of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister...
again for the final signature. Eventually, submission was to be done of the president of the university and the chairman of the Board of Trustees together with their curriculum vitae. On the morning of the day after the approval, many of the students reported that they were surprised when they came in the college; because they saw the new sign at the forefront of the buildings saying “Future University” instead of the old “Computer Man College.” On that day, a camel
Camel
A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as humps on its back. There are two species of camels: the dromedary or Arabian camel has a single hump, and the bactrian has two humps. Dromedaries are native to the dry desert areas of West Asia,...
and a number of sheep were sacrificed (i.e. slaughtered) inside the campus, and their meat was given away as charity (Karāma) for the poor and other people in the shape of a good-deed attempt to thank the grace of God that the college has been upgraded. — "as the Chairman has said."
Faculties
- Faculty of Information Technology
- Faculty of Computer Science
- Faculty of Telecommunication and Space Technology
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Architecture
- Faculty of Geo-Informatics
- Faculty of Arts and Design
Centers of Excellence
- Space Technology Center
- International Computer Driving License (ICDL)
- FU Alumni
- UNESCO/Cousteau Ecotechnie Chair
- Centre for E-Learning and Software Development (CESD)
Programs
The table below illustrates the different programs and certificates currently offered by The Future University:| Program | Faculty | Degree | Duration (semesters) | Date Offered | aka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | Information Technology | B.Sc. | 10 | 1991/1992 | IT |
| Knowledge Management | Information Technology | B.Sc. | 10 | 2008/2009 | KM |
| Knowledge Engineering | Information Technology | B.Sc. | 10 | 2008/2009 | KE |
| Digital Marketing | Information Technology | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | DM |
| Digital Banking | Information Technology | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | DB |
| Computer Science | Computer Science | B.Sc. | 10 | 1991/1992 | CS |
| Artificial Intelligence | Computer Science | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | AI |
| Bio-Informatics | Computer Science | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | Bio-In |
| Telecommunication Engineering | Telecommunication and Space Technology | B.Sc. | 10 | 2002/2003 | TCOM |
| Satellite Engineering | Telecommunication and Space Technology | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | SE |
| Computer Engineering | Engineering | B.Sc. | 10 | 1991/1992 | CE |
| Electronics Engineering | Engineering | B.Sc. | 10 | 2008/2009 | ELEC |
| Bio-Medical Engineering | Engineering | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | Bio-Med |
| Laser Engineering | Engineering | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | LE |
| Mechatronics Engineering | Engineering | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | ME |
| Architecture & Design | Architecture | B.Sc. | 10 | 2002/2003 | ARCH |
| Interior Design | Architecture | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | ID |
| Geo-Informatics | Geo-Informatics | B.Sc. | 10 | 2008/2009 | GIS |
| Remote Sensing | Geo-Informatics | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | RS |
| Creative Multimedia | Arts and Design | B.Sc. | 10 | 2008/2009 | CMM |
| Fine Arts | Arts and Design | B.Sc. | 10 | 2011/2012 | FA |
| Information Technology | Information Technology | Diploma | 6 | 1991/1992 | DIT |
| Telecommunication Engineering | Telecommunication and Space Technology | Diploma | 6 | 2004/2005 | DTCOM |
| E-Commerce Technology | - | Diploma | 6 | 2004/2005 | - |
| Commerce & Accounting Information Technology | - | Diploma | 6 | 2004/2005 | - |
| Internet Design Technology | - | Diploma | 6 | 2004/2005 | - |
| Computer Engineering | Engineering | Diploma | 6 | 2011/2012 | DCE |
| Electronics Engineering | Engineering | Diploma | 6 | 2011/2012 | DELEC |
| Network Engineering | Engineering | Diploma | 6 | 2011/2012 | DNE |
| Additional & Continuing Education | - | Certificate | 1 | 1993/1994 | - |
| International Computer Driving License | - | Certificate | 1 | 2002/2003 | ICDL |
Affiliations with international universities
- Multimedia UniversityMultimedia UniversityMultimedia University is Malaysia's first private university. It has two campuses with one in Cyberjaya and another in Melaka. The distance between the two campuses are approximately 150 kilometers, via the North South Expressway.-History:...
, Malaysia - UNITAR UniversityUniversiti Tun Abdul RazakUniversiti Tun Abdul Razak is Malaysia's first MSC-status private university. It is named after Malaysia's second prime minister, the late YAB Tun Abdul Razak. It is an ISO 9001:2000-certified private university...
, Malaysia - Limkokwing University, Malaysia
- Nettuno University, Italy
- International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Italy
- Linkoping UniversityLinköping UniversityLinköping University is a state university in Linköping, Sweden. Linköping University was granted full university status in 1975 and is now one of Sweden's larger academic institutions. Education, research and PhD training are the mission of four faculties: Arts and Sciences, Educational...
, Sweden - University of BrasiliaUniversity of BrasíliaThe University of Brasília , is one of the largest and most prestigious Brazilian public universities funded by the Brazilian federal government...
, Brazil - University of Rio Grande, Brazil
- University of São PauloUniversity of São PauloUniversidade de São Paulo is a public university in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. It is the largest Brazilian university and one of the country's most prestigious...
, Brazil - Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyThe Norwegian University of Science and Technology , commonly known as NTNU, is located in Trondheim. NTNU is the second largest of the eight universities in Norway, and, as its name suggests, has the main national responsibility for higher education in engineering and technology...
, Norway - University of TromsøUniversity of TromsøThe University of Tromsø is the world's northernmost university. Located in the city of Tromsø, Norway, it was established in 1968, and opened in 1972. It is one of eight universities in Norway. The University of Tromsø is the largest research and educational institution in northern Norway...
, Norway - Oslo University, Norway
- Tennessee University, USA
- Boston UniversityBoston UniversityBoston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, USA - California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Institute of TechnologyThe California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
, USA
The credit hours system
The Future University, and since its establishment as Computer Man College, has been implementing the credit hours system to guide its education process. This system aims to integrate the different bodies of the university into one coordinated unit; this allows the academic, administrative and financial departments to work in harmony to use the university facilities, staff and academic programs. The Future University has adopted the tri-semester method in which the academic year is divided into three semesters (generally, 14 weeks plus one week for final exams). However, after the upgrade to university, some modifications were made to this system. The most obvious change is the introduction of the summer semester/course, which is a "compressed" semester of 10 weeks with the remaining four weeks period set for vacation. This summer semester takes place in semesters 3, 6, and 9.The logo
The current logo of The Future University was chosen because it was the winning logo in the contestContest
A contest is an event in which at least two teams or individuals compete. There may be an award to a winner or awards for multiple top performers, but a contest may be imposed for training...
that the university held among the students and staff in order to choose its new official logo. The contest was monitored by the Creative Multimedia department represented by Ms. Gloria from The Philippines after being selected by Dr. Abubaker (the chairman) to supervise the contest. Many students participated in the logo contest, which also included designing logos for the other faculties of the university, yet, only few candidates were qualified to the final stage. The current logo was then chosen and approved after making some edits and retouches on it. Monetary prizes were awarded to the first and second place winners (1,500 and 500 SDG
Sudanese pound
The Sudanese pound is the currency of Sudan and also used in South Sudan until finalization of the introduction of the South Sudanese pound. Both Arabic and English names for the denominations appear on the country's banknotes and coins. On 24 July 2011, Sudan launched a new currency...
respectively).
The new buildings
Future University has recently started building its new campusCampus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
which is located side-by-side with the old and current buildings. The new campus is said to contain modern lecture room
Lecture room
Lecture room may refer to:* classroom* Lecture Room, program of China Central Television...
s, labs, auditorium
Auditorium
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances at venues such as theatres. For movie theaters, the number of auditoriums is expressed as the number of screens.- Etymology :...
and libraries, and it accommodates about 18,000 students. In 2006, the land of the new campus was procured by the college, an area of 20,000 square meters. It is said that the cost of construction, equipment and furnishing the whole new buildings of the campus amounts to be approximately US $60 million. The building has been paused several times for unclear reasons; the chairman of the board stated in an interview that he believes that the whole new buildings will be set up, fully constructed and ready to use by the end of 2011.
The engineering number issue
Currently, the certificate degree gained in any engineering field/course in The Future University is not accredited by The Sudanese Engineering Council, i.e. the graduate is not given an engineering number (which is a license-like approval as a certified engineer); allegedly because The Future University Learning System does not meet the requirements of the engineering programs which are supervised by The Engineering Council. However, students, as well as managers, claim that the Tri-Semester system used by the university is a global standard and is not invented by the university, thus, it should be recognized. It is worth noting that this issue only started few years ago (in the past, all engineering graduates had their certificates approved by the Engineering Council). There are still undergoing negotiations with The Engineering Council regarding this issue, nonetheless, no solution has been offered so far.See also
- List of universities in Sudan
- List of universities in Africa
- Education in SudanEducation in SudanEducation in Sudan is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 13 years. Primary education consists of eight years, followed by three years of secondary education. The former educational ladder 6 + 3 + 3 was changed in 1990. The primary language at all levels is Arabic...
- Sudanese Universities Information NetworkSudanese Universities Information NetworkSudanese Universities Information Network is the national research and education network in Sudan. In 2004, SUIN was first founded and developed under the umbrella of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research...
- Association of Sudanese Universities